Veterans Assistance Fund aids Centre County vets

STATE COLLEGE — To keep supporting Centre County veterans in need, the Veterans Assistance Fund for Centre County Vets is asking for the public’s help next month for its third annual race.

The fund, based in Bellefonte, was created a few years ago to financially assist Centre County veterans.

The nonprofit helps with such areas as oil and dental bills and insurance, said Gerald Lyons, who helped jumpstart the fund. Eligibility is determined through an application process.

Lyons said the fund developed because veterans would stop into the Centre County Veterans’ Assistance office in need of security deposits in order to be considered for housing by the district attorney. So he and office director, Holly Serface, decided to come up with a solution. FaithCentre in Bellefonte, he said, helped with sponsorship, as well as other local organizations and agencies.

Last month the fund helped four or five veterans, Lyons said.

“This month alone I think we paid about $2,000 in dental bills,” he said.

Lyons said the fund won’t turn anyone away as long as it can provide assistance.

“We want to keep raising money so we have money to help these people,” he said. “These are tough times right now.”

Non-taxable donations from the public are encouraged. The race will be held Oct. 28. Checks or money orders can be made payable to the Veterans Assistance Fund, First National Bank, 137 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA 16823.

Centre County veterans who were honorably discharged may be eligible for assistance. For more information call Lyons at (814) 355-3974.The Centre County Veterans’ Affairs office can be reached at (814) 355-6812.